Home»Ornamentals»Grass
Purple fountain forage – Pennisetum setaceum“Rubrum ” is an decorative landscape grass known for its Bourgogne or purple leaf vane and gentle , fuzzy - like flowers .
Its foxtail grass plume and striking burgundy foliage show up well when surrounded by counterpoint plant . This herbaceous repeated smoke is warmth liberal and rise well in short dirt .

This speedy - growing , chunk - form grass is aboriginal to Africa , Southeast Asia , and the Middle East . It also belong to the Poaceae mob .
develop fountain smoke as a hedging , back of a edge industrial plant , or specimen . Growing the grass is well-to-do , require little maintenance once established .
Pennisetum setaceum “ Rubrum”reaches a height of 3′-5′ feet with a 2′ to 4′ feet spread . over-embellished cosmetic pot typically blooms in July .

Its purple efflorescence spikes , succeeded by burgundy or purplish - tingled heads , are balmy to the touch and cry out to be sway by the autumn breeze .
Pennisetum Setaceam Quick Care Tips
Planting The Purple Fountain Grass
imperial fountain grass is grow in nearly all type of soil . However , it will do exceptionally well in rich and well - drained grunge .
Plant the fountain fakahatchee sens at any time . However , saltation is the beneficial time . The skunk will tolerate some light tone though it enjoys the full sunlight .
search for an area in your garden that receives full sun , as the works prefers warmer conditions . It also can put up temperatures above 20 ° degrees Fahrenheit .
This locoweed enjoys warm , humid surroundings and is considered a drouth - liberal cosmetic sess .
Give time for the stain to dry to the contact between each watering , watering once or twice a week until it ’s established .
Moreover , the Fountain forage prosper in well - drained soil but may grow well in light ( sandy ) , medium ( loamy ) , and heavy ( clay ) dirt .
The grass should be given pot of space in the garden , reaching 4′ pes grandiloquent , and spread to 2′ to 4′ foot wide . The ideal spatial arrangement is 3′ to 5′ feet .
When planting , excavate a deep and wide hole large enough to accommodate the roots . Once planted water the grass thoroughly .
For those in other humble grow zones truepampas grass – Cortaderia selloana – is an choice for those desiring grasses in their landscape painting .
Watering The Grass
The grass is drouth kind , however , water once or doubly a calendar week until plant are institute .
Give time for the soil to dry out to the touch between each watering . In expanse that receive rain occasionally and then , you do not need to water the grass that has already established .
Fertilizing Fountain Grass
Although the fountain grass is intrepid and grows well even in poor dirt , fertilise will boost its growth .
The grass requires extra nutrients when flowering . Flowering is the idealistic time to use a general - function slow - vent fertiliser .
Alternative Varieties For Purple Fountain Grass
Pennisetum setaceum“Rubrum ” produce beautiful blooms with imperial foliage .
However , other grass varieties from the same genus may serve as good alternative in the garden if “ Rubrum ” is not planted . Some of them let in :
More onUses for Ornamental Grasses , the hardyOphiopogon Mondo grass , and stunningPink Muhly Grass .
Purple Fountain Grass Care: How To Overwinter
The firework pot is indigenous to southern Asia and Africa . Considered supply ship perennial the grass can not survive frigid wintertime .
Pennisetum setaceum“Rubrum” An Annual or Perennial?
It is hardy in USDA plant hardiness zone 9 and higher , grow as a perennial , although it will mature in zones 7 - 8 give adequate winter protective covering .
Individuals wanting to grow “ Rubrum ” and hold out in colder climates will have to enjoy its beautiful vividness and vase - mold show in belated summer and fall , being grown as an yearbook .
maturate the grass in containers allows overwinter indoors .
Tips For Overwintering:
handle these ornamental grasses as a houseplant , place them in a relatively cool room , and give them enough sunlight
or
stack away it in a cool but not freezing location , such as a basement
water supply meagrely and never take into account the soil in the soil to dry out out . Take plants outdoors in the spring .
When To Cut Back Fountain Grass
The sound time to trim or cut down back the purplish fountain grass is in the early outpouring or late wintertime .
Although exact timing is not very important , prune the pennisetum grass before it start growing actively .
keep off pruning during the fall , as the sess has not yet dried back all the agency .
Cutting these ornamental grasses in fall can do them to go into a growth spurt , making it more venerable to the coming of inhuman weather . This reduces its chances of surviving the winter .
How To Trim Fountain Grass – Procedure For Pruning
Where To Find Purple Fountain Grass
you’re able to find them and other warm - season weed at local nursery , online storage , or from neighbors who have already planted the sess .
Note : Starting the dope from seed is a long mental process , as seeds take a long metre to germinate . The easiest elbow room to start up the Gunter Grass is part an already established plant . These divided plant tend to lay down quicker without problems .
One query asked before buy rubrum grass – Is It Toxic to cats and safe for frump ?
The ASPCA does not listPurple fountain“Rubrum ” as toxic to dogs or cats .
Grass Pests And Diseases
pestilence and disease rarely touch on purple fountain Gunter Wilhelm Grass . Deer commonly leave alone it alone , making it a deer - tolerant cosmetic skunk .
The species from which thePennisetumRubrum cultivar was developed is considered as an invasive industrial plant . However , this cultivar is not considered invasive .
Uses For Purple Fountain Grass
Besides , its autumn seed head arevery attractive like maiden grass , which is very useful in dusk arrangements .
Cut and dry feathery plume ( violet fountain grass seed head ) for flower musical arrangement .